This is an old revision of the document!
The records on this page are ones I wish were better known and/or I'm posting them for my friends (all are trimmed 2/3 in, except for John Kessel)
An amazing songwriter and guitar player, John Kessel, a friend of mine, has developed a unique style and plays with a passion, fury even, that really shouldn't be missed
Can't Find My Way Home - Torch Song
Nights In White Satin - Linda Law
Mad Violets, World of … (1986)
This is an awesome EP of 80s neopsychedelia. Four originals and a cover of The Move's I Can Hear the Grass Grow.
Track list:
Side 1
Side 2
I Can Hear the Grass Grow
World of LSD (I Wanna Come Back)
Jr. Gone Wild, Less Art More Pop! (1986)
Catchy, fun, idiosyncratic band from Canada with a couple proto-genius songwriters. Second only to the Association in sophomoric but still impressive lyrical glossolalia
The first song I'm posting shows their popcraft, and a little craziness in the lyrics:
This second tune has some truly crazy lyrics (2nd verse, esp.), which are reprinted below:
Lyrics to Jr. Gone Wild, Heather on a Bad Day (M. McDonald)
Sitting by the fountain protecting her skin from the mist
And her entourage respects her, on that she must insist
The atmosphere is somber the conversation is subdued
Cuz she controls her atmosphere and she's not in a very good mood
And there are pictures in behind her eyes she's dreaming of where she should be
Should be hailed as a princess cuz she's royalty
[chorus]
And when her dreams wake up, they won't go away
And you get Heather on a bad day
Better watch out what you say
It's Heather on a bad day
Her slightest movement inspires reaction from everyone in sight
They try so hard to keep her happy they try with all their might
And the rancid badly timed statements from men don't warrant a response
Unflinchingly she discards these fools like clothes cuz they don't have what she needs
And the watery eyed adolescents with their hearts torn out see her as a taloned vixen
Heather's gaze is far away she's catching herself wishing, she's wishing
[bridge]
I'll kiss your hand for you
I'll kill a dragon for you
I will rescue you
Oh Heather if you wear my colors, I'll belong to you
Once I got to look in her eyes and I saw what I know
It's her private truth something she doesn't want to show
And as sure as the sky is blue that cumulus spectacle there belongs to her
The world is her ring her entourage are her bangles
And she's really waiting for a prince she really is, she really is
Her entourage hopes she's happy tomorrow
Green, self-titled first alb (1986)
I'm posting this whole album (songs trimmed 2/3 in). Great Beatle-ish/Kinks-ish/Prince-ish! power pop. Jeff Lescher shoulda been as big as Paul Westerberg. If you don't listen to everything, don't miss the ones with asterisks.
Side 1
She's Not A Little Girl Anymore
Side 2
After 7, self-titled first alb (1989)
At the turn of the 90s there was a certain amount of quietly traditionalist R&B, of the Anita Baker sort. Can't Stop has the kind of groove you never want to end, and when I got the single, I was pleasantly surprised to find Ready or Not on the B side. It seemed familiar, I thought maybe it was a cover of a mid-70s or late-60s tune. But it's not.
Paul Osby the singer/guitarist of this group and , oozes attitude, undoubtedly too much. He was gonna die before he got old. But the main attraction is his guitar playing, effortless. I saw them in Iowa City at the time and Osby was so cool. He peeled off these wicked snarly guitar lines, from ultra-low-slung guitar, cigarette in his mouth, while singing!
Tamia (1998), song originally recorded w/Quincy Jones (1994)
Her voice is perfect, pure, clear, relaxed but completely in control. Like a certain other perfect-voicester (initials WH), but with added sweetness
Dead Can Dance, Within the Realm of a Dying Sun (1987)
I was surprised in 1990 to hear from a friend that she was going to see these folks play. Now somewhat well-known, I guess this band's gothic-ness saved it from the dustbin of history
Come and Get Your Love - Redbone
Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender Love) - O-Jays
For the Love of Money - O-Jays
A novelty record, but if you haven't heard it …
Boogie in Your Butt - Eddie Murphy
80s supergroup with R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe singing and Richard Thompson, elect. lead guitar:
Lullaby of Broadway - Bram Tchaikovsky
Melting Pot - Booker T. & the MGs
Boogie Woogie Waltz [starts midway thru 12 min tune] - Weather Report